Chapter 2 Summary

As Becky and Amelia drive off in the carriage, Becky lets her guard down at last and reveals her hatred for Miss Pinkerton and the entire academy at Cheswick. Amelia is shocked by her behavior.

The world has not been good to Becky Sharp. Apart from Amelia Sedley, nobody has treated her nicely at all, a fact that is quickly overshadowed by a moral. People whom the world treats poorly often deserve what they get.

Becky Sharp's father was an artist who gave lessons at Miss Pinkerton's school. He was an abusive, alcoholic father, depressed over not being a greater success artistically. Becky's mother was a French opera dancer who died some time ago. Becky never spoke of her mother's occupation but instead emphasized her French heritage, claming to come from a noble family.

After Becky's father's death, Becky found herself at Cheswick...